Dear Editor,

The spread of seat belt laws across this nation represents the kind of creeping socialism lovers of freedom and responsibility detest.

As a competent adult, I make hundereds of decisions about my health and well being every day. I decide to go to work, pay my bills, keep my wet fingers out of electrical outlets, etc. I find it intrusive and offensive that the government has decided that I cannot handle making a simple decision about whether or not I wear a seat belt. Failure to wear a seat belt (in most areas) carries a fine between $10 and $100 plus court costs and any other surcharges the local grubberment cares to impose. This is not a huge sum, but the principle of "Big Brother" knowing what is best for capable individuals really bothers me.

On the other side I have heard it said "But what about those who are incapable of making good decisions? What about the young child, or the confused senior citizen?" Our all "protectors" in Washington have spoken on this issue too. They have made it illegal for those who are confused, unsteady, and at risk for injury due to fall to be secured in a wheelchair by a safety belt when outside of a motor vehicle!

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA '87) is a federal law that includes nursing home "reform". OBRA '87 imposes stiff penalties for those nursing homes which routinely use bedrails to help prevent a fall prone resident from accidentally rolling out of bed in the middle of the night. Reclining chairs are also considered to be a "restraint" and are verboten. And as I said before, if a patient is secured in a wheelchair by a safety belt (to prevent getting up and falling or merely slipping out) the nursing home is at financial risk. These fines are frequently in the tens of thousands of dollars. It does not matter if the family of the patient, or even a competent patient himself, requests the safety device. The law is the law.

If freedom from restraint is such a good idea for the elderly and incompetent, why is it that the capable have mandated restraints? Call your state and federal representatives and let them know how you feel. And the next time you are pulled over and ticketed just because you are not wearing your seatbelt, just remember that when you grow old big daddy government will be there to save you from such things.

Sincerely, Responsible Q. Citizen

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